Here They Come!
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Posts
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is something I had no knowledge of until a mate recently mentioned that neither did she nor her mates. Perimenopause or "menopause transition" -> Menopause -> Postmenopause The second and third phases have been talked around me but never the firsr. Who knew there was a pre-phase of around 8 to 10 years, yes EIGHT TO TEN YEARS! My mate has now heard about it, researched it, and understands it more. Her question was, "Why isn't this advertised? Why aren't there leaflets at the GP about it? When the mammogram stuff pops through the post why isn't there something about Perimenopause?" All most excellent questions ... so why isn't there? Not enough info? Nope, Google it. NZ too shy? Possibly. Not a male problem and therefore why bother? Maybe. Perimenopause can begin eight to 10 years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. It usually starts in a woman's 40s, but can start in the 30s as well. Perimeno
Reputation On Show
It's a truism that 'reputations are earned slowly but lost quickly' but one can speed up that rate of earning by choosing the right apparel to wear at a kids swimming pool. It should be noted that this t-shirt is from a time in the Petone Empire Hotels previous life a long time ago, and is a very different place now going by the name The Butcher and Brewer
The Final Hurdle
He battled his way along after an ever growing number of falls and finally he was there, the final slip down and course complete.
Rena Disaster, Mural Detail
If you turn 180° after admiring the Kevin Ledo mural on Steeple Lane you'll see this by Cracked Ink on the opposite wall. This is a small detail photo of the full wall. Oh, and it's NOT a black and white photo either π This piece has alot of deep meaning in it with most pointing to the Rena disaster which ruined the shore all along the Bay Of Plenty region. source: Street Prints, Cracked Ink - Rena Disaster This mural is part of Street Prints that happens in locations all over the country having started in Mauao / Mount Maunganui in 2015 . Street Prints is a unique platform where multidisciplinary artists create and engage in a meaningful way with communities through an indigenous lens
Anamorphic Mural
By Kevin Ledo of Tauranga kaumatua Peri Kohu (Ngai Tamarawaho) in Steeple Lane, Mount Maunganui . Perry does a lot for the community and fought hard and sacrificed a lot for the treaties to be respected, and land be given back to his people. By pure coincidence I had his 3 grandkids help me with this wall, Ma, Aniku and Tai, and they were so excited to have him depicted in his town, and felt he really deserved a monument to him. source: Kevin Ledo, Facebook post
You Are My Village, Thank You
Even though labelling a time span with a number is a weird human thing to do, and of course many other humans use a different numbering system, I do feel a drive deep inside me to say thank you to so many people for helping me get through this weird, wonderful, scary, and above all ... wait for it, unprecedented year that many have called 2020. If you've ever watched an Oscar awards evening, especially from the 1980s when the rules were more relaxed on winners speech making opportunities, then you'll be well prepared for what is about to happen. I already know, not having written anything yet, that I have missed out people, many of those that have played an integral part to me arriving here. To each and everyone of you know that you are part of the village that has held their arms around me, shown more kindness than I knew possible, and have made such a positive difference to me I am forever in your debt. To Hannah, Betty, Meg, and Gladys, you have been my rocks. Paul, and Dave
A Dip At Dusk
Back in the summer of 2018 we had a lovely Mount Maunganui holiday and stayed at a home with a pool, I felt very decadent.
Everything Leads To Now
Christmas Eve 2020, it's been a hard road travelling here for many. Reach out to someone today and do something you'd normally not do, something anything. Lessen the load and #BeKind
Oil Painting
It's a fuel tank but hey "oil painting" is funnier - either way this mural on the side is wicked!
The 2020 'Days Of Christmas'
Keeping this blog's tradition going, this is my Yuletide posting about all that you should know for Christmas. But let's just take a moment in the busy day to remember what it's all about - the people you love. I'm thinking of the people you love right now ... are you thinking of mine? Of course, it's not just about family and friends (if that's who I was thinking of) but also presents, alcohol and oodles of sitting around in the sun (hardy har har Northern Hempishpereans!). If Jesus is your thing, I mean, if he's your bag, what you're into man then do the religious thing as well. Just don't get all "God" over Christmas and try to remember that it was originally a pagan festival around the longest day, certainly don't want you Christians foisting your ideas on people and trying to subvert the real message! Fun. that's the real message. Believe in Father Christmas (who shats all over Santa) and have too much laughter with the peop
And There They Were
"Three of them slowly appeared, twisting and cavorting their alien giraffe/dinosaur bodies as they made their way to the Mount. What their plan was we'll never know, history only records that they attacked on New Year's Eve, and it was a messy end."
Name ALL The Characters
I'll give you the first one, you name the rest - Hairy Maclary, as seen here in the wonderful Tauranga sculpture.
Tauranga Wings
You'd be a fool to visit Tauranga and not get your #LoveDowntownTauranga angel wings photo. And I'm no fool.
New Zealand Past Summer
Had a fiddle with this 2018 Waimarino Water & Adventure Park photo, quite like how it feels 1980-ish, maybe 1990s.
Drama Tree
Somehow the editing of this Christmas tree photo (Rotorua, 2018) has ended up having a 2020 vibe. Ladies and gentlespoons, I give you the Drama Tree.
A Cloak Of Words
"A Cloak of Words" by Maori sculptor/carver, Lyonel Grant, which is located on a small grassy rise beside [closed] Rotorua Museum. According to the accompanying plaque, it was unveiled in June 2001. What I especially loved about the work is that the closer you get to it, the more it reveals, for every surface is heavily etched with patterns, words and texture. source: Introducing Maori Lifestyles: A Cloak Of Words
Step Off
Step off and fly over the tree tops. Rotorua Canopy Tours was a 2018 highlight, can't recommend it highly enough - do it!
Bulls Tree
Fri, 5 Jan 2018 • 9:35 am Google Pixel XL, f/2.0, 1/831, 4.67mm, ISO50 JPEG 5.7MP, 1798 x 3196, 4.0 MB Snapseed 2.19.1.303051424
The Balcony Scene
"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" ( complete scene from Romeo And Juliet by little Willy Shakespeare)
Roast Potatoes
When they come out perfectly there is no better time to be had. Recipe: Ultimate roast potatoes by Angela Nilsen (BBC Good Food)
When You Get That Surprise Present
Fall Out Boy tickets, he wasn't expecting that as his final Christmas present π♥️
All The Family Huddled Around A Glowing Laptop
The times when the kids were growing up it was a tradition to have the laptop on and the Northern Hemisphere family watch as the presents are open. A lot has changed since this photo in 2017, the kids are young adults, my Dad is in a home, the Swedish side aren't allowed to travel to Wales due to COVID, and I won't be around the kids this Christmas Day. It's not so much the change, the kids were always gonna move on and with the divorce new rituals have been created. It's more that it's happened in 3 years, 2017 seems both a long long way away (as does January, remember then?), and yet close enough to touch. Whatever your routines are be prepared to change them, but keep the rituals .
What You Doing For Christmas?
It's the question on everyone's lips here in AoNZ, "So, what you doing for Christmas?". This year I'm having a gorgeous time staying in Wellington and just chilling. Whilst it may not have been a tough year it's taken a lot of energy to make it so and I need a rest. But, what about you, what are you doing for Christmas?
Simpler Times
Putting on #WellyTech at the stadium was a big undertaking but it pales into the background of what has happened since this photo was taken. Pithy lesson #525: No matter how hard you think life is right now, it's gonna get harder . Hmmm, maybe this instead - No matter how hard life is right now you will survive . Or maybe, today are the memories you'll look back on fondly , that's the one.
How To Be A Woman
As a man it has been, and continues to be, a source of wonder to see how most women exist in this decreasingly manmade world. The planet is for everyone, the world was grabbed by men. It was into this world 15 years ago my daughter was born. With joy I have been able to stand by her, get to know her, and learn from her, as she has grown into the ongoing change the world is experiencing. I am so full of pride and love for her it can sometimes burst out the eyes ♥️ Happy birthday!
Playing Card Mike
A New Year's Eve in Monmouth back in the mid-1980s. For some reason we had decided to dress as the The Queen Of Hearts (that was Shaun) and her pack of playing cards. I can't remember why. On a side note, at the Nags Head we bumped into Carol Decker from T'Pau (lived down the Wye Valley if I recall). She was very taken by Shaun's costume, LOL
Cinema Class
The upstairs Embassy cinema foyer is a glorious place with the ability to go from bustling hubbub to nostalgic peace within seconds.
Coffee City
Nothing says Wellington more than, "getting a coffee". This is Mojo State which is 80 metres from Mojo Old Bank π Let's grab a coffee next time I'm in town - what's your favourite place?